Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-07-30
HOUSEHOLD HYGIENE.
Freckles: What Causes Them, and How
They May be Removed.
GEORGE II. RoHE, M. d.

The only difference that ANTAGONISTS and
psychologists have been able to detect be-
tween the skin of the white and the various
colored races consists in the differing amounts
of coloring matter present. This coloring
material, technically called pigment, is manu-
featured from the blood by a special system
of cells found in the deeper layers of the
scarf-skin or cuticle. In some persons, espe-
cially those of blonde complexion, the in
fiuence of the suns rays seems to stimulate
certain groups of these cells to greater &C
tivity, and more pigment is formed than is
needed to give the uniform normal tint of
the skin which characterizes a good COM
plexion.
This pigment Is collected in little roundish
patches of yellowish or brownish color, COM
monty known as freckles. These are espe-
cially distributed about the face, neck backs
of the hands and forearms. Those portions of
the body ordinarily covered by clothing are
generally exempt from this nothing or
freckling of the skin.
Many theories have been preached to &C
count for the discoloration in spots which
constitutes freckles, but none of them are
very satisfactory. If the discoloration were
equable as in tanning, the assumption of a
chemical action of the solar heat or light rays
might be accepted, but the peculiar roundish
collections of pigment, with perfectly normal
colored skin between, show that some other
element must be taken into account to ex-
plain the phenomenon.
This other element is probably the nervous
system. The skin may be assumed to be di-
vided up into numberless little areas each
supplied with fine terminal nerve branch.
Each one of these little fields is more or less
under the control of its particular nerve,
which governs its blood supply, its nutrition,
sensation, and, in short, all the vital functions
which take place within its limits. On this
assumption, which has a reasonable basis in
physiology, it will not be difficult to imagine
that stimulation of particular nerve branch
may cause an excessive production of pig
ment in its own little area. That the suns
rays may cause such nerve stimulation is
common observation. Nervous disorders of
various kinds are often accompanied by in
crease or diminution of pigment, as is very
well shown in the loss of color in the hair
from fright or emotional shock The singu-
lar cases of progressive loss of color in ne
groes which are now and then reported in
ent upon nervous influence. In these ndi-
viduals, of which l have seen several, the
white patches of skin are clearly marked out
by the nervous distribution.
But should this theory of the cause of
fieckles be true it would help us little in the
treatment Of the affection, for we do not
know how to recall the viciously acting
nerve fibres to their proper function. Nature
usually does this at the end of summer, for
freckles generally disappear during the winter
without any treatment; but when the warm
weather returns the freckles are on hand
and face-again, as usual.
We are not entirely helpless, however If
we cannot prevent the excessive formation
of the pigment we rc... hasten its disappear
ance by appreciate treatment.
A popular remedy and one sometimessuc